Lindcott Armory Compare / .32 Short Colt vs .38 Short Colt
Cartridge comparison
.32 Short Colt vs .38 Short Colt
.38 Short Colt carries more energy (185 vs 117 ft·lb); .38 Short Colt recoils less.
.32 Short Colt →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.38 Short Colt →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .32 Short Colt | .38 Short Colt | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pistol | Pistol |
| Introduced | 1875 | 1875 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.313″ | 0.357″ |
| Case length | 0.65″ | 0.762″ |
| Velocity | 745–800 fps | 730–800 fps |
| Energy | 99–117 ft·lb | 148–185 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 17,500 psi | 13,000 psi |
| Recoil | 3–5 ft·lb | 2.5–4 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 15 yd | 25 yd |
FAQs
- Does .32 Short Colt hit harder than .38 Short Colt?
- .38 Short Colt carries more muzzle energy (185 vs 117 ft·lb).